Justin Mackenzie, Dinos Communications
CALGARY – Two goals in the first six minutes of the game gave the UBC Thunderbirds an early advantage they wouldn't relinquish as they knocked off the Calgary Dinos 4-1 to split their two-game weekend set at the Father David Bauer Arena.
After a big 2-1 win on Friday night, the Dinos once again looked to their top line for offence on Saturday. Sage Desjardins scored Calgary's lone goal of the game, with assists going to the dynamic duo of Delaney Frey and Rachel Paul. With the result, Calgary slips to 3-15-3-0 on the season.
Ashley McFadden finished the game with two goals and an assist to lead the Thunderbirds. UBC also received scoring from Celine Tardif and Mikayla Ogrodniczuk as they improved to 12-5-1-3.
UBC dominated the early portion of the first with a majority of the play in the Dinos' zone. The first goal came early when a scramble in front of the Dinos' net resulted in a McFadden shot sneaking over the shoulder of Calgary netminder Kelsey Roberts, making it 1-0.
The second goal for UBC came shortly after when Ireland Perrott out muscled a pair of Dinos to the front of the net before Tardif redirected the puck in.
A late Dinos power play provided some life for the team as UBC goaltender Amelia Boughn was tested on multiple chances in tight. Calgary was able to get one back with three minutes remaining in the first when Paul made her way through two UBC defenders before sliding it across to Desjardins for her second goal of the season. The line of Desjardins-Frey-Paul combined for all three of the Dinos' goals on the weekend.
"The first line just started playing on their feet instead of retreating on their heels," said Calgary head coach Danielle Goyette. "They're not afraid to make risky plays anymore."
The second period started rough for the Dinos as a late penalty in the first transferred over to the middle frame. This was just the start of their penalty troubles though as the home side found themselves shorthanded for an even 10 minutes in the second stanza.
The Dinos penalty kill would shut the door on those infractions, but it was not enough to stop the Thunderbirds. UBC extended their lead as a puck slid through a pair of Calgary defenders' legs to a wide open Ogrodniczuk, who was able to fire a one-timer through to restore a two-goal lead for the road team.
Staying out the box in the third period, Calgary played on par with UBC in an evenly matched 20 minutes. A late penalty to the Thunderbirds gave the Dinos a chance to pull their goaltender for a two-man advantage, but they were unable to convert as McFadden collected her second of the game, shorthanded, to round out the scoring.
The Dinos will be back in action next weekend against the Mount Royal Cougars on Friday, Jan. 25, followed by the much anticipated Crowchild Classic on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the Saddledome. UBC will head back home for a matchup with the Saskatchewan Huskies.